5 ms·

I agree that texting while driving is a key part of it, no doubt. But, I’d propose another one, too. New aerodynamic designs locate the A pillars in a place in

I agree that texting while driving is a key part of it, no doubt. But, I’d propose another one, too. New aerodynamic designs locate the A pillars in a place in most cars that eliminates huge swaths of my peripheral vision. Backup cameras also make up for increasingly awful side vision and rear vision. I drive an 1990s land cruiser a few weeks ago and the visibility was amazing. You didn’t need cameras because the hood was low, the windshield was flat and upright and the side windows weren’t tinted black. Old land rovers and pickups were the same.

ronnier 7y ago
> A pillars in a place in most cars that eliminates huge swaths of my peripheral vision Yes! There's a large area to the left and right of me where I can't see anyone which makes it particularly dangerous when turning a corner. On another note, I walk in Seattle a lot and I do my best to look for oncoming cars when crossing, I don't trust them to see me or even the red light.
gomijacogeo 7y ago
Agreed! A-pillars have gotten extremely thick over the last 10 or so years to accommodate airbags and the increased rake angle of the windshield brings the pillar much closer to the eye. In my vehicles (2008 & 2018), the left pillar blocks the destination of a left turn (intersections or twisty mountain roads) and the right pillar at intersections block traffic and pedestrians from the right. I bob and weave to try and compensate, but it's definitely more work.